Apparatus for chain manufacture



Dec. 30, 1930. R w, DU| 1,786,707 APPARATUS FOR CHAIN MANFACTURE I Filed May 7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheer. 1

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R. W., DULL APPARTUS" FOR CHAN MANUFAGTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7. 1924 A l v Dec. 30, 1930. R. w. DuLL APPARATUS FOR CHAIN MANUFACTURE Filed Hay 7, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 3 Dec. 30, 1930. R. w. DULL APPARATUS FOR CHAIN MANUFACTURE Filed May 7A, -1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MMM 25 11T.. r V

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ARPARATUS FOR CHAIN MANUFACTURE Filed May '7, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 5 ZZ @UEFA jttorvzeky/S.

Zia @yg/w PeitelxteclY Deo.` 30, 1930"' mais? Barnum) W. nULL, on oHicAeo,;LL11\Iois, ASSIGNOR To,LINXTBELTpjCQMPANm oF CHICAGO, rnnlvoisnY conPoR-ATIQN or' nninos'7 APPAMTUSFOR- GHAIN-MAN'UEACTURR applicati@ ied May 7,

^ My invention relates to an apparatus for Y chain t'rom" afstrip of' sheet metalv f steelt, and partioularlyte a machine forthe continuous making and; automatic l assembl-v Q; of the linksf'intoi achainfdlhe general object ofv my invention4 is to produce Chain oithe type described fin which hoolr and pintle tongues are stamped from the Center of "the linlr blank and-the hook and pintle te, end bars rarebent to; produce a chain, each 'link er which' 'Consists of use Sie@ bars, a relatively cylindrical 'hoolrat lone end, and

a p'intle at theother 'shaped for rotation- Within the hook of the link-nexty adjacent.

object,V is to i providena mechanism forA produeing chain ofthe type described, with i maximum cheapness and simplicity. kAnother Objectis to provide a mechanism rWhieh Y shall stamprthehook Aand pintle tongues from thev center ofthe blank and ycurl them and the end bars into finished hooks and pintles With y a .minimum vstrain,uponfthe metalv ofthe blank, and amininum ivealieningfand Vdistortion of'tlieffibers of the metal. AnotherI object is to'provide mechanism for produc*- f ing chain of the type described in which, by scoring and byindenting eachv blank the tendency ofthe end bars to tear out shall ber reduced' to a minimumb'Another object is to provide ,a mechanismfor producing chain of thegdeseribed type in which the length of the blank as jitpasses through the device shall vary as little as possible during, and be reduced as little as possible, by the successive die impacts. f

Other objects Willjappear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims."1 i

l illustrate my invention more or les'sdiagrammatically in the 'accompanying drawy ings, wherein-l Y i Figure lv is a plan view of the strip of materialoperated upon, illustrating the eifelct ofthe successivedie impaots; f

Figure V2 isr a sectionv alongV the line 2 2 of Figurel'; l 7

Figure 3 is a plan View similar to Figure Yl, but'rshovving theunder` side of the stock;

'- Figure 4 is a sleleton side elevation ofthe 50, punchand die, illustratingfthe passagebf 1925;; serial in, 711,534;y

theStockthefethreuehieeitfofmtife'infe lllS';

Figure 5 is a plan view ofthe die; A rFigure 6 yis section on the line (if-6 of Fgueg; Y t

Figure k7 is a section on-'the line 7-7 0f iv Figure 4;v f Figure 8 1s asect'lqn Figures 4 and';

on thev line `8 8 of Figure- 9 is a' section on the line 9i?) of l i Figure 4;

- Figure l0 is a of Figure 4;

section on the line ille-,l0 Y

Figurell isal view of an alternative form of prick punchj and i y Figure 121s alongltudinalvertieal section through'alp-slightly modified formJ dfpunch Lilie parts are illustrated by like characters o,

throughout' the specification and drawings. -Y 'A' is anysuitable base having mounted thereupon the die blockwhichmay bey secured thereto, for example, by the', Wedge A?, downwardly drawnv by the bolts A3,' and engaging with its inclined overhanging Wall A4 the opposite inclined Wall A5, of theblock. The opposite side of the blocl; is gripped by the overhanging inclined Wall A6 of the base.

B is any suitable'strip of relatively resistant material upon which rest the individual die elements. These elements are gripped vandaligned in any suitablemanner, fer exampleby the opposed holding blocks B1, 1332, which' may be con nected together,

die elements later be discussed in de` Y tail.v Y

The passage of the metal strip C over the die block is from right to left, as shovvnxin Figure 4, y yThis ribbon or ystrip yof stock .C maybe initially straightened and fed by 'any means not herein showmbeing guided .into the machine, for example by the yieldingly mounted supporting blook C1 mountedV to kreciproezfite yertically in the ldie bloclrfAl, being supported, for example bywhich is the spiralsprings C2; Its'verti'cal movement.

lis limitedffor examplm'by the pins Cgand the slots C4. TG5 is an eentrally disposed'iiat berileeiifaee acl-ered@ receive the het slidable along the pin G1. spring compressed between the yoke G3 and tom of the strip C and upon which the strip may be centered, for example by the opposed set screws C, C6 which may be adjusted to adjust the strip C laterally. The above described parts are shown in some detail in Figure 6.

D is a second strip or stock supporting yoke or block having the outer projecting lugs or ears-D1pD1 slidableL along vertical pins D2, D2 and upwardly pressed :by the spiral springs D3, D3 against the heads D4, D4 of the pins. The depending portion is further guided by the surfaces D20, D2o of` the 4sides of the block, the block being cut awayv to permit. the downward movement of the yoke D. The yoke portion is penetrated by vertical lcylindrical apertures DG, D6 in the bottoms of which are coiled springs D7, D7 which press the pins D3, D3 upwardly to the position .shown in Figure 8, thepins being notched, the reduced portions D12 projecting upwardly through the stock engaging element D, the circular portion of each pin serving as a stopA kto limit upward movement of the pin. L1", L10 are conical prick punch elements mounted on the yoke D, the purpose of which will be later described.

-Positioned to the left of the support D, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 are a plurality of opposed strip or stock guiding elements E, E adapted to reciprocate in the apertures E1, E1 in the block A1. The lower portion of each serves asa plunger, the upper portion being reduced as-at E2 to form a shoulder or ledge E3, which engages the stop E4 which limits the upward movement of each guiding element. They are normally maintained in a position of maximumelevation by the coiled springs E5, which penetrate the cylindrical apertures E6 in the guide elementsl The upper ends of the guide elements are laterally inwardly extended, as at E7 and provided with a. slot therealong, E8, through which the edge of the stock or strip passes. It may be centered or adjusted laterally between the two guides, for example by means of the set screws E.

'G is a stock engaging element having a pair ofupwardly projecting longitudinally extending lugs G1, G1, adapted to engage the side bars of the link blank. It rests upon the tops of the plungers G2, G2 the lower extremities of which are fixed in a yoke G3 G5 is a spiral the stop G6 adjacent the lower extremity of the pin. G", G7 are adjusting nuts screw threaded upon the lower portion G8 of the pin. Any suitable means for limiting the upward travel of the element G may be provided, for example, the stops G10 adapted to engage the outwardly projecting flanges G12 upon the velement G. 'Mounted still far* ther to the left, as shown in Figure 4, are a pair of opposed channel iron guides H, H

adapted to engage the opposite sides of the chain links, means being provided for drawing them forwardly therealong, said means not being shown herein, and forming no part of the invention claimed ent application. The channels H are connected, for example, by cross pieces H1, H1, the ends of which are perforated to .slide upon the pairs of vertical guides H2, H2 and are kept normally in raised position, as shown in Figure Il, for example by the spiral springs H3, H3. The cross pieces may be engaged, for example, by any suitable elements H4, Hx on the punch element, the elements H2, being out of alignment with the fixed pins H2. The heads H3 of said pins serve as stops to limit the upward movement of the cross piecesH1 and the channel guides H in response to the springs H3.

The chain is formed by the passage between the opposed die and punch elements of a strip of rstock which is moved forwardly therebetween, by a step by step movement by any suitable feeding means, the details of which need not be shown herein. At each successive forward movement the punch element is moved downwardly against the die element by any suitable press mechanism. The punch and die arel aligned, for example, by the vertical guiding columns J, J in rigid relation with the die block A1 and upon which the punch block K, K is slidably mounted, J1 being any suitable lubricating passages. T he punch block K is clamped into any suitable working backing K1, for example by the set screws K2 of the punch block. The opposite side K3 of the punch block is engaged by the over-hanging surfaced lug K3. Kiis a backing or'base element similar to the backing or base element B of the die block, and K3, K9 are clamping elements similar to B1, B2 and are similarly secured together about the. individual punch elements. rSince theseparate punch and die elements operate in pairs upon the strip ofmetal passing step by step therebetween, they' will be described in pairs, and in relation to the .impression they make upon the stock. As the stock C is passed forwardly through the guide C1 it is lirst engaged by opposed indented or striated gripping pads L, L1, L being fixed in relation to the die block A1, L1 being yieldingly mounted in the punch blockK, and

4being heldin normally downwardly extended position, for example, by the spiral spring L22.V The lfunction of the opposed pads is to grip the stock and prevent lateral movement thereof during and in response to the successive forming impacts, their action being particularly important when the strip is lirst fed through between the punch and die and before its end has reached the opposite end of the die. The pads may be of metal, or of any suitable fibrous or frictional material. At each forward step or in the preslil.;

lli;

if/eavov movement, Ithat part of the stock which ha j ust been gripped by the pads L, L1 is moved forwardly a predeterminedlength, the length of one chain linklank, an'd'is t ien subjected to the action of a pair of prickv punches L2,

Leen the die, and a transverse scoring knife L3 on the'punch. T he prick punch elements vare sopositionedas to indent the inner corners in Figure 11; Y

Y shown in Figure 2. n y

Meanwhile the opposedl pairs `of longitudinal scoring knives L6, L7 scorel or outline of the junctions between theside bars and the y pintle end (bar, onthe lower' side Aof they stock along the line of 4future division betweeirthe vtongues which willr ultimaielyy be separated fromthe side bars to form the hook and pintle of thecompletedlink, A

Whereas l prefer to use sharp pointed prick punches, `it will be 'understood that yunder some circumstances a rounded. or balltipped punch or identing instrument can' be substituted whiclrwill ave the samey function andperform the same service. .The alternative typ-e of prick punch, isillustrated as j the unsevered or uncut edge of the hook tongue on the itop and bottom of the stock respectively, as shown at'ZT'in Figure l and Z6, in Figure 3. a

At the next forward movementrofthe stock it passes abovetheyielding block D', above described, and the bottom ofl the stock is punched by the prick punch elements L19 thereupon, the'prick punch marks comingat the endsof the bottom longitudinal scores Z6 and indicating the inner corners of the junction between the side barsand the hook end bar of the link. rlhe punch marks serve to prevent tearing out of the stock when the hook tongue is severed from thefside bars along the longitudinal scores Z6, Z7.

.The knife L11 further bends theends of tpintle and hook tongues, the end of the pintle tongue being-bent about the beading L12 Aand the end of the hook tongue being rolled about the rounded corner if* of the yieldiugr mounted block D. The'hook tongue is thereby separated from the side bars along partof the lengthof the longitudinal scores Z6, Z7;

At the nextforward movement ofthe stock the punch element L15 completes theseparation of the hook tongue from the side bars, moving it to the position shown'at Z16 in Figure 2, the punch marks Zlo preventing ,tearing away of the hook tongue at the corners. Meanwhile the transverse scoring knife L deeplyscores the top of the stock, outlining ,theseparation` between adjacent links, and theend of the punch element L16 further slightly; bends `the pintle tongue about the transverse bead lili, along the left edge of tl block D, as 'shown in Figure f At the nent forward movement ofthe stock the punch elenfientls/lr whichhas substantially the cross section of the central: aperture of the link, punches out or movesthe hook tongue to the osition shown at m1 in Fivure 9.

Alongthe basek of thev punch Mare the in` clined punch ledges M2 adapted toy engage the side bars of the link and bendthem into the position shown at m3 infliigure 2. The round`` ed .ends M?, M5 of the base of thepunch block M, operating against correspondinggdie elements M19. M29`bend the hook and pintle end shown Tat mc, m7 in Figure 2.

`bars respectivelyofthe llinkto the form,

wider, as atl! than the central aperture of the link, and chisels out apart of the aperture .to allow .freedom'for the hook in thelinished chain. -l

y Finallyat the next movement of thestock the cutting edge N, formedbya downward olf-setting of they punch, shea-rs along kthe score Z?? and against theopposed cutting edge Nlof me die, andsevers the partly completed linkjfromzthe stock. As the stock is forced r downby' the punch, yprior to the severing,the`

side bars ofthe link are Aengaged by the longi- Y f vrhepmich M nearthe pintle end isslightly tudinal lugs 'Gli of the yieldinglymounted block G, and are locked thereby againstthe punch element N2, which is provided with a gripped, the spring G5 serving to compress the block G and the lugs'G1 against the link,

and to lock the link against the punch N2;

The curved portions l 5, Ne'of the punch N2 engage respectively the bent hook andpintle end bars; As the link is carried down- `wardly by the punch, the endV ofthe hook f tongue engagestherolling die surface N-'and is curvedv thereby. into' the position N7, as

shown in Figure ll. [Prior to the completion of this rolling movement the pintle tongue contacts the die surface N8 and is bent into the position shown in Figure ll, The rolling movement of the hook ktongue is limited by the stop N10 adjacent the surface N 5 of the punch elementA N2;

vcentral portionY N3 penetrating `within .the centralaperture ofthe link, and side bear- `ing surfaces N'in opposition to the tops of' Y the lugs rthe severed link is thus firmly Meanwhile the previously completed links of the chain are passing forwardly between the guides H, the forwardY feed of thechain l being so adjusted that as each hook tongue is rolled into the position showngat N7, the pintle tongue and pintlebar of the precedvingly formed linkl is held inthe position shown at `O in Figure 4.- Thev hook tongue curls around and inclosesit, thus fastening "C, In order to' prevent compression of the ingly supported guide elements C1 and the newly formed link to the end of the completed-chain, as shown in dotted lines at O1 in Figure 4l.

The guides H and the completed chain travelling therethrough are normally maintained in general alignment, as in Figure 4, with the stock asit passes through the yieid- E. As the stock is depressed by the action of the punch elements thereupon, the punch also contacts the cross elements H1, and depresses the finished chain, maintaining it in alignment'with the stock as it descends and with the descending severed link as it continues its descent following severance from the stock. As the hook tongue of the link begins to curl,

` as at N7, the pintle bar of the finished link is dropped into position in the bend of the hook tongue and is thus surrounded by it as the hook vtongue is rolled into final position. At the next forward movement of the stock and `the completed chain, the completed link is drawn forward with the completed pintle bar, ready for the attachment of the next succeeding link thereto.

In the modification shown in Figure 12, the initial scoring knife L3 is shown as in Figure 4f. It has opposed to ita smaller scoring knife T which is just sufficient to cut the skin or surface of the metal of the underside of the strip metal and consequent breaking down and weakening of its structure, I provide at each side of the scoring knife T the depressions T?, T1. The scoring or creasing knife T2 serves to crease the bottom of the stock along the Vinside ofthe bend of the future pintle tongue. The prick punch elements L2 are shown as moved forward one step to occupy the position of the pad L in Figure 4 and the pad L may be moved forward, or may, if desi red, be dispensed with.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows I manufacture chain from a ribbon or strip of sheet metal stock which is fed forwardly step by step between opposed punches and dies. The interval between the forward -feeding` movement need be only sufficient to permit the strip to move forwardly through the press the length of one link.

In order to prevent interference between the stock and the punch or die, at the time of such forward movement, I provide means for lifting the entire strip of stock from the die between the formingimpacts of punch upon die. In the form herein shown, I move the strip upwardly, after each impact, to a position substantially midway etween punch and die when the punch is withdrawn to its margimuin height. In the illustrated mechanism, I accomplish this resultby feeding the strip forwardly through yieldingly mounted guides which are adapted normally to support the stock a predetermined distance above the dies, but which permit it to descend, and descend with it, in response to the action of the punch. As the punch descends, it forces the strip and with it the strip guides downwardly toward the die block, and as soon as the punch withdraws, the guides rise and carry the strip with them.

The yieldingly mounted block or support i) has an upward excursion in response to its coiled. springs D3 suicicnt to break the strip C out of contact with the remaining die elements and the supports E continue its upward ravel and hold the strip at a point even higher than the maximum excursion of the element D. I center the strip in relation to die and punch by means of set screws or other adjusting mechanisms on the yieldingly mountedguides or supports.

In the form of punch and die herein shown, the portions which are forced out of the normal plane of the strip are allL bent downwardly toward the die. It is therefore necessary to lift the strip above the die a distance greater than the length of the largest downward projection, namely the hook tongue. i

y In the method of forming chain lier-ein described, the side bars of the chain are not deformed or bent until shortly before the link is severed from the chain stock. Therefore the stock throughout most of its excursion between the punch and die has straight edges, and can easily and efficiency be fed forwardly through the guides.

The strip metal stock, of which the linksI are formed, is a fibrous material, and of course tough and hard. In making' links from it it is necessary not only to render easy the severing of the p arts which have to be severed, and to make this severing possible without distortion of the stock, but also to limit the severing and to counteract the tendency for further and unintended tearing or severing, either during manufacture or during later use of the chain. To make the severing easy, the parts to be severed are initially scored. To prevent further unintended tearing the lines of score. are terminated by indentations which break up the normal brous structure of the material. The major severing operations are performed, not by one impact, but by a succession of impacts. The distortion of the metal at any one point is reduced to a minimum, and sharp bends, or corners, where the material of the stock is compressed by bending, are provided with creases or indentations which serve to give space for the material compressed, for example along the pintle tongue and at the corners of pintle and hook tongues, where they are bent from the stock.

The successive steps of the operation are as follows:

l. The gripping step, the action of the opposed gripping pads, one fixed and one yieldf ing, one on the punchiand one-on the die;

These opposedpads grip the metal stock and prevent its longitudinal movement. Their` .action isv iurrp'ortanty primarily during the ginitialfeed of the stockv thro-ugh the press," and the cliain `forming processmayfbe caryried on without then although under many conditions they ar' aina-ble.

2." The ycenter of the 'linklis' nent 'trans versely scored as atZ3 to outline the separation vbetween'thelopposed edges of hook and pintle tongues. ln the mechanism herein shown this score is across the top oi the stock,

but of Vcourse the location of this Vand ofthe other score and punch marks herein described oouldbe inverted.V The oppositeside of the stock is indentedas at Z2', Z2, the punch marks indicating the corners of the future central aperture of the link, and breaking upV the.

regularfibrous structure ot the'metal at those the same time severs the stock along the score Z3' and bends back the pintle toirgue` and kthe end of the/hook tongue, the scores Z6, ZT reaching substantially to the'point atwhichthe hook tongue is separated from the side bars.`

i The "pintletongue is bent about the bead L4,

which makes a transverse crease along the inside of the bend, and connects the already formed indentations Z2, Z2. Space inside the bend is thus provided to take' up the conr pression of thelifnetalV when the lpintle tongue is further bent, and any tendency* ot the pintle tongue to tear out at the corners'is obviatedbiy the indent'ations Z2, ZZ.. e

el. At the nextfforward movement of the Y stock the top of the ystock receives the impact ot'a transverse punch element L aligned with the original separation betweenphook and pintleVv tongues. One side oi:A this elefnient yfurther bends theV pintle tongue, and

bends it about a bead L12, Vwhich further enlarges'l the groove or crease' along` the insidel Y Yof its bend.l The other side further bends the end of the hook tongue continuing separation 'from the side bars, andv gives to vits'lend a curi'fe, substantially concentric with the future arc of the finished hook Meanwhile the ybottom of the stockl'iispunchecl 1 Z1", ZIO', tie 'punchmarks closingq the ends or the scores Z, and serving to prevent the tendency or the link to tear 'out when the hook tongue is linally bent awayifroin the stock.

'rt the next forward movement of they stock-the hook tongueis operated upon by a punch element which completes' its severance trom the link side bars and bends itto the position Z16 yinFigure 2. TheV previouslyf made indentations Z1", whichihave broken up e the fibrous structure of the corners ofthe link', prevent yweaknessl and tearing at the baseoil the hook tongue;y

i 6. At thefnext forward movemeiitfofthe stock theV downwardly vdepending pintleY tongue drops over the/corners oflthe die element.l M2", and prevents longitudinal distorltion of theentire stripto the rear. of the point ,or shortening of the strip orlof the individual links by the impact and distorting' action of lthe forming punches.k i`

lp to this point the sides of thestock have been straight, since there has been no distor-V tion of they side bars. Now,- however, the line of separation of the two adjacent links is ,made along the score Z2 and the link thus separated,is bent tothe position shown at the left end of the Figure 2. Meanwhile the hook and pintle bars are bent into the position shown at m6, m7 and the centralA aperture ot' the link adjacent the pintlebar is' slightly widened as at m9.

'l'.` The link is nowready to be severedv from the stockand' its next forward movement it is sheared alongther scorel Z20 and is carried downwardly by the punclrel'enient N2` toward the lower forming die. The hook' tongue mi,

since it depends farther from the link than the pintle tongue, 1s the first toy Contact kthe die ano is rolled around by the semi-cylindri'- cal die surtace NGinto the formi shown at No?,

in Figure 4. 'vWlrenthe link has been carried so far down that the pintle tongue' also-contacts the 'die,fit is bentr into inished form'. Since it is bent or compressed far more highly than the longerhook tongue, the creases or. grooves along-'the inside of the bend of the pintle tongue are extremely important in pr`eventing weakening of thepintle tongue, andl the punch marks at thelcornersare vital in' preventing strain upon and distortion of the' metal at those points.v y

The pintle of vthe pr'ecedin n gly coin'pl'eted I klink is positioned ywithin the arc ofthe hook aol tongue as it isy bein-'g curled intov final form',

and it therefore ycurls about the pintle and passes throud'h the `central apertureof the preceding link. f The pintleend of the linkA being somewhat widened, as at m, there' is ample room for theliofokftongue to' pass there` through.- Tlie link thus completed is drawn forwardly away from the end of the stock and at'the next inove'ment-oi` the stock' thesuc'- ceedilng link is fed forward ready for separa; tion and final formation;

ln the lorm shown ,in Figure 12 l have illustrated a means for minimizing the eiect or'` the transverse rscoring knife inY breaking up and wea-kening the structure ofV the metal. ,g

l provide an opposed scoring kuil-e* justvsuflicient to break the sur'ace of the lower sideof the stock; and l position itv between transverse hollows kT1 w'hicii give space forthe metal isa depressed by the transverse scoring knife La. Strain upon the metal 1s so tar eliminated as to'preventany appreciable weakening of the fibers of the structure o' the future link. I also indica-te in `IFigure l2 the creasing element T2 which scores or creases the inside ot thebend ot the future pintle tongue, making easier to bend it and enabling it to be bent with ay substantially reduced strain upon and weakening of the ibrous structure of the metal. ,I may dispense with the prick punches, or I may move them a step forward on the die, as shown in Figure l2.

l'vliile. I have illustrated an adequate and operative device, and a practical and er'licient process, it will be realized that I do not wish to be limited to the specific details and steps shown, or to the specific order of steps. I wish my description to be taken rather as in :t broad sense diagrammatic, and illustrative, since many changes in torni and arrangement ot steps and the parts used to accomplish the steps may be made without departing from the spirit oi' my invention.

I claim:

l. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising` an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, longitudinal scoring knives adapted to score the.

link to outline the inner edges of the side bars, a knife element adapted transversely to sever the metal betweensaid scores, means for indenting the link at thek inside corners ot the junction of the side bars and the hook end bar on the side of the stock from which the hook is bent, and means upon the punch adapted to contact the hook tongue and separate it from the side bars and bend it in relation to the link. f

2. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising' an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, means for indenting the link at the inside corners of the junction of the side bars andthe pintle end bar on the side ot thD stock from which the hook is bent, longitudinal scoring knives adapted to score the blank to outline the inner edges of the side bars, a knife element operative on the face oil the link opposite to the indenting means, adapted transversely to sever the metal between said scores, and to bend the pintle tongue from the side bars, and means adapted to contact the hook tongue and separate it from the side bars and to bend it in relation to the link.

3. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the lililnvconiprising an opposeddie means for indenting the link at the inside corners oit the junction of the side bars and the pintle end bar, a scoring knife adapted transversely to score the link between the side bars, longitudinal scoring knives adapted to score the link to outline the inner edges of the side bars, a knife element, operative on the face ot the link opposite` to the indenting means, ada )ted to sever the metal along said transverse score, and to bend the pintle tongue from the side bars, means for indenting the link at the inside corners of the unction of the side bars and the hook end bar, and means upon the punch adapted to contact the hook tongue and separate it from the side bars and bend it in relation to the link. j

In a machine for making, from a con tinueus strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch each having a plurality of eiements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, indenting means adapted to indent the link adjacent the inside corners of the junctions of the side bars and the end bars, transverse scoring means adapted to score the link between the side bars, longitudinal scoring knives adapted to score the link along the inner edges of the side bars, and die elements, operative uponthe face of the link opposite the indenting means adapted to Vcontact the .hook and pintle tongues and separate them 'from each other and from the side bars and bend them in relation to the link.y

5. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal st ck, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center oi the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, indenting means adapted to indent the link adjacent the inside corners of the junctions of the side bars and the end bars, longitudinal scoring knives adapted to score the link along the inner edges of the side bars, and elements,

operative upon the face ot the link oppositeV the indenting means, adapted to contact the hook and pintle tongues. and separate them from each other and troni the side bars, and bend them in relation to the link.

6. In a machine tor aking, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center ot the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, indenting means adapted to indent the link adjacent the inside corners of the junctions of the side barsvai'idthe end bars, and'elenie ts,

from each other and from 'the side b. vrs and n bend them in relationto the link.

-7 In a machine for making,-froin a con* tinuous strip of slieet'inetal stock, chain links Vh ving pintles and 'hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, having` a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action -upon the stock passing,l Atherebetweeii, op-

posed stock gripping pads positioned upon ypunch and die adjacent to and on the feed side of the point ofentry ofthe stock between thedies, adapted yieldingly to grip the 'stock prior to the formingengagement of the punch and die elements and to prevent lon- Y gitudinal movement of the stock during kthe link forming impact. i Y Y 8. In a machine for making, from a-y continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chainlinks having"pintles.y and hooks strucky from t-he center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing` therebetween, forining elements adapted to separate the hook and kpiiitle tongues from each other and from the side bars, forming elements adapted to curl the end bars after such separation, an element adapted to shear the link from the stock after the'end bars have been curled, op-

posed elements adapted yieldingly to engage the severed link and to hold it in contact with i the punch, vand opposed foriiiing'-means adapted to bend the pintle and the hook tongues into'final form4 after the severing' of the link from the stock. f f

` 9.7111 a machine for makiug,froin a con! tinuous strip kof Vsheet metal stock, chain links having pint-les and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch having a plurality 'of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passingjtherebetween, forming elements adaptedv to separate the hook and pintle tongues from each other and from the side bars, forming elements adapti ed to curl the end bars after such separation,

cof

a. puncli element adapted to shear the link from the stock after lthe end bars have been curled, nicans for yieldingly holding the severed link in contact :with the punch, and

forming means adapted to bend tliepintle and the hook tongues into'flnal forinafter the severing of the link from the stock, and guiding and supporting` means adapted to hold thepintle of the link last formed within the periphery of the are described by the hook tongue in the course of its formation.

l0.' Tn a machine for makinggr,Y from al constrip of sheet metal stock,L chain vbeen curled,

' center of the li links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, compi-i. die and punch, hai/ing 'av pi tion upon the stock passing therebetween, op-

the -liook e -u pintle tono' rati punch element adapted to'sliear the link rom the ook. after the endfbars have f nie-ans for holding the 'ered link stantially below the pla-ne of the remaining` dieeleinents adapted to bend the pintleand4 spense to the downward travel ofthe severed link. l

l1. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links havingv pintle find hooks struck from the coniprisinp,1 an opposed die and punclnhavzng a plurality of elements positioned Atherein for progressive action `upon the stock passing therebetween, op-

posesforining' elements vthereupon adapted to separate tl i hook and pintle tongues iroin tongues into final form after the severing),` of

the link and the stock, in response to the downward travel of the severed link', and means for holdinq the piiitle of the last link formed within the periphery of the arc described by the hook in the course of its formation. I

12. Inainacliine for making, from continuous strip'of sheet metal stock, chain links having` pint-les and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch having a plurality ofv'eleinents positioned therein for progressive upon the stock passing therebetween, forinitially vtransversely scoring the center ofthe Vlink betweenthe side bars; rmeans for severing the center ofthe link along such score and tearing and rolling,` away from each other thev opposed ends of the hook and piiitle tongues, and for bending the pintle tongue means fronithelink, and at the saine time longitu-V` dinally scoring the link along the inside ng an opposed urality of elef ments positioned therein for progressive .ac-y

- in contact with the punch, and opposed forming` die elements positioned subaction Pfr l 1.,

he l

ponle to ne nook t cent links; mea the stock a into final pr about the formed.

13. ln a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks sj Ack from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, having a plurality of elements positioned the; for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, a transverse scoring knife adapted to score the center of the link, a severing knife adapted to sever the metal along such score and to bend the pintle tongue 'from the link, a creasing bead adapted to engage the pintle tongue and pintle end bar along the inside of the bend thus formen., a punch element adapted to separate the hook tongue from the side bars and to bend it from the blank.

l-l. In amachine 'for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the centerrolt the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock as it passes therebetween, means for rolling the hook of each link about the pintle oli the previously completed link, and means for supporting the completed chain with the pintle of s ch last formed link in position to be surrounded by such hook, comprising a vertically movable, yieldiugly supported guide for said chain.

l5. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck 1from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therealong for progressive action upon strip stock passing step by step therebetween, means for severing each link prior to its completion and for carrying it downwardly out of line with the die and for rolling its hook about the pintle or the link precedingly formed, and means for supporting the completed chain with the pintle of the last formed link in position to be surrounded by such hook, comprising a vertically movable carrier and means for maintaining it in substantially horizontal alignment with said link during its downward excursion.

16. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality ot elements positioned therealong for progressive action upon strip stock passing step by step therebetween, means for severing each link prior to its completion and for carrying it downwardly out of line with the die and for rolling its hook about the pintle of the pintle of the link precedingly formed, and means for supportinol the completed chain with the pintle of the las formed link in position to be surrounded by such hook, comprising a vertically movable carrier and means for maintaining it in substantially horizontal alignment with said link during' its downward excursion, vertical guifies -for said carrier yi di ie; means iter normally holding carrier adjacent the upper portion of guides, said punch being adapted to engage the carrier and irust it downwardly along said guides.

17. lin a machine for making, from a continuous strip or" sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center oi the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elennts positioned therein, torprogressive action uponthe stock passing therebetween, a plurality of members longitudinally spaced aloin punch and die in supporting and ng contact with the stock between die d punch, and adapted to position the stock out ot Contact with either, intermediate the it'ormi; impacts of punch upon die.

i8. ln a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck :trom the center ot' the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elemen s positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, a plurality of members longitudinally spaced along punch and die in supporting and guiding Contact with the stoekbetween die and gunch, and adapted to position the stock out or contact with either, intermediate the forming impacts o1 punch upon die, said members being adapted to lift the stock from the die, and to guide it during its forward movement intermediate the forming impacts of the punch. i

19. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed dieand punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, means for yieldingly positioning the stock between die and punch, and out of Contact with either, intermediate the forming impacts, comprising a plurality of adjustable guides to engage and support the opposed edges of the stock, said guides being depressibly mounted on said die block.

20. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, means for yieldingly positioning the stock y of the stock,

between die and punch, and out o t Contact y With either intermediate [the forming 'imA` pacts, comprising a plurality of guides mounted adjacent the die,` adapted adjusf-v ablyto engageand support the opposed edges rkand yielding' rmeans for moving in relation to saiddie,

said, fr lesnpivardly intermediate the (forming impacts.

V.viththe edges ofthe stock.,`

i ed slidablvto engage andsupport the opposed edges of thestock, and means forlaterallyQadlustingfthe contact of saidguides 22. In a machine for making, from Va con itinuous strip of sheet metalstock, chainlinks having pintles an'djho'oks struck from ,the centerofthelink, comprising an opposed die aiidcpimch, havingy a pluralityoteleinents .oesiti'cned therein lfor progressivev action iiponthe, stock passing therebetween,,y means toryi-eldingly positioning the stockbetiveen die and punch'aiid out of contact with either, Vintermediate the formingimpacts, comprisi pluralitysot guides ladapted adjustably y engage, an'dfsupport"the-opposed edges et the stock', onepair ofsaidrguides beingpositlonedadj acent the point of yentry oi the stock ybetween the die andpunch and another being positioned adjacent' the opposite end of.

punchan'd die. n

23. 'lnfaniachine for making, 'from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain' links having pintles andl'iooks struck trom the ceny N i 1. ter et theA link, comprising an opposed die` and punch, eachh'avinga plurali y' of eleinentsfposit-ioned'therein for progressive ac` 'tion npon the stock `passing therebetween, means 'for in'dentiiigthe inner corners ofthe i central aperture ofthe link on thensidey ofthe stock toward which thetongues are to be bent,

'and means for severingthe hook'and pint-le vtongues V'from yeachother and gior bendingthem away 'from the side bars of the link;

Y, 2li. In'afmachine oimaking, 'from a con- Atinuousstrip of sheet metal,l stock, chain' links liavingjpintles andV hooks struck `from thecenter of the link, comprising an opposed dieand punch,each having4 a plurality of elementstpositioned thereintior progressive actionupon 'the stock passing therebetween,

nieans'for indenting the inner corners of the "central aperture of thelink on the side of the Lstocktowardivhich the tongues are to be bent, 'means fiorV severing y the 'hook and pintle engines from each' other and for y,bending lnai'machine for making, from a con-y Ascoi'e the inside oitliem awayfionithe side bars ofthe link, and means for subsequentlycurling the Vrend bars ofthe link.k

25. ln a machine for making, roina continnous strip of sheetmetal stock, chain links having pintles. and hooks ystruck from Vthe centerot' the link, comprisingan opposed die and punch, having a f plurality kof -elements positioned therein, Afor progressive ac tion upon the stock passing therebetween, a

top ot the stock, an opposed transverse scor-y ing knife adapted tovscore the bottom of the stock, the die element being` shaped With-a Q plurality ot transverse depressions adjacentl said scoring knives, and adapted to receive i the material dis Jlaced bv the scoring o eration.

25.A In a machine for makin@ Vg, trein accontinuous strip vof sheet metalstock, eliain'links having pintles and hooks struck from the cen- ,Lf

yter of the link, `cemprisingan opposed diel and punch, havin-g a plurality of elements positioned therein, for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, a transverse scoring knife adapted to score-the toploI the stock, an opposed transverse scoring knii'e adapted to score the bottom of the stock, the

f die element being shaped with apluralityof transverse depressions adjacent said scoring knives, and adapted to receive the'material displaced by the scoring operation, and anl vadjacent transverse scoring knife adapted to the bend of the pintle tongue.

27.' ln. a machine for manufacturing ychain from strip stock, comprisingyan` opposed die c and punch, and meansifor passing the stockA therebetween, v means positioned 4inte'rmediate the ends of the die for liftingithe chain stock from the diefand for suspending it 'between-said die and punch and ont of contact with either, intermediate the formingimpacts andor guiding` it againsty lateral movement, .While permitting itsorvvardmove# Vmentintern'iedia'te theforniing impacts,

28. lnafmachine incr manufacturing chain trom strip stock, comprising anopposed die v and punch, and ineansfor passing the stock `therebetiveen,,means vfor lifting the chain stock from the-dierandior holding it "between said die and punch and out of. Contact with either, intermediate the forming impacts, and means for initially releasing lthe Ystock from the die.

29. In a machine for manufacturing chain from strip stock, "comprising anopposedjdie y Y and punch, and means for passing the stock therebetween, means for lifting the chain stockfrom the die and for holding it between said die and pnnchandv out of vContact with either, intermediate theforming impacts, vand means iter initially releasing the stock Afrom the die, comprisingia yieldingly mounted die element .and yielding means for Vthrusting it i 75 transverse scoring knife adapted to score the.

upwardly above the normal level ot the remaining die elements, upon recession oli the punch.

30. In a machine for manufacturing chain `trom strip stock comprising opposed. die and punch menibers,and means 'for passing strip stocktherebetween, means for guiding said strip between and out of Contact with said die and punch member, between the 'forming impacts, comprising a pair oi strip supporting chmientsk adapted slidably to support the edges of the strip, and means for lifting them andthereby holding the stri normally out o'j contaetiwith the punch and die when the punch and die are separated.

8l. ln a machine Ytor manufacturing che' iirom strip stock comprising opposed lie t; punch members,I and means for 1 stock therebetween, means for guidf C strip between and out ol" Contact with said ui and punch member, between the forming 111- pacts, comprisingl a pair ol elements, and yielding me;

H ,E1 them and the strio normally out ot contact with the punch and die vv ien the punch and die are separated, said strip sipportng elements including laterally adjustable strip edge engaging members.

32. In' a machine for manu acturing chain from strip stock comprising an opA ose-d die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned thereupon lier progressive action upon the stock passing 't'.hcrebetween, means for positioning the stock between die and punch and out of contact with either, between the forming impacts, comprising a plurality of longitudinal adjustable guides to engage and support the opposed edges of the stock, said guides being depressibly mounted on said die block, the die and punch elements intermediate saidl guides being adapted to operate only upon the center of the links and to leave the edges ci -the stock unbent.

33. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles andy hooks struck Atroni the center of the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive. action upon the stock passing therebetween, longitudinal scoring members adapted to score the link to outline the inner edges oi the side bars, a transverse severing member adapted to separate the opposed ends oi? the hook and pintle tongues o'l2 each blank and to bend them in the same direction away from the flat stock of the blank, a plurality of shearing members adapted to operate successively on the hook tongue and progressively to sever it from the sine bars, each such member being adapted to bend the hook tongue in the same direction from the stock as the initial bending ora the end thereof, the opposed punch and die elements being adapted to maintain the side bars of the link blank after'the severing of the hook tongue from the side bars is completed.

34. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center ot' the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, a transverse scoring member adapted initially to score the link along the line of separation between the ends of the hook and pintle tongues, longitudinal scoring members adapted to score the link to outline the inner edges of the side bars, a transverse severing member adapted subsequently to tear apart, along the transverse score the opposed ends of the hook and pintle tongues of each blank and to roll them apart and to bend them in the same direction awayV from the vliat stock of the blank, a plurality of shearing members adapted to operate successively on the hook tongue and progressively to sever it from the side bars, each such member being adapt-ed to bend the hook tongue in thesame direction from the stock as the initial bending of the end thereof, the opposed punch and die elements being adapted to maintain the end bars of the link substantially flat until the movement of the die next after the severing of the hook tongues from the side bars is completed.

35. In a machine for'making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center ot the link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements positioned therein vfor progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, members adapted to sever the ends of the hook and pintle tongues and to bend said tonguesI away from the blank, means for severing the uncompleted link from the stock and for conveying it out of the general horizontal plane ot the die, and means for completing the link after it is so conveyed and Ylor attaching it to the last link previously completed.

36. In a machine for making, from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links havingvpintles and lhooks struck from the center of theA link, comprising an opposed die and punch, each having a plurality of the hook and pint-le tongues into lfinal form,

' bers adapted to outline the future hooks and Y Y link about the pintleof the previously com-V and means Jfor positioning the pintle tongue of the last formed link Within the periphery of the hook tonguel of thesucceeding link, as it is curled into final form.

3'?.` In avrmachinefor vmaking,from a continuous strip of sheet metal stock, chain links having pintles and hooks struck from the center ofthe link, comprising an opposed die and gpunch, each havinga plurality of elements vpositioned thereinfor progressive action upon the stockpassingtherebetween,

a plurality of opposed punch and die mempintles and to separate them from each-other and from the side bars, means for maintaining the side bars and end bars in the plane of the stock until the separation of-said hooks and pintles from the side bars is completed,

pletedilink, and means for supporting the completed chain with the pintle-of such last formed link in position to be surrounded by guide for said chain. n n

39. In a machine for making, from a conelements positioned therein for progressive action upon the stock passing therebetween, members adapted toseparate the hook and vpintletongues from the link and to bend them away from it, meansfor severingthe uncompleted link :from the stock, means for rolling the hook tongue of the link about thepintle of the Apreeedinglyl formed link, and a vertically Imovableguide adapted to hold said last formed link in position `during such rollingg f 'f 40j In amachine for making, from a. continuous stripof sheet metal stock, chain links l having pintles,V andfhooks struck from .the

center of the link,l comprisingk an vopposed die and punch, each having a plurality of elements "positioned therein forY progressive a vertically movable guide adapted to hold said last formed link in position during such rolling, and yielding means adapted nor- Y mally to move said guide upwardly. i

Signed at Chicago, vcounty of Cook and 7 State of Illinois, this 29th day of April, 1924.

f RAYMOND w. DULL.

such hook,'comprisinga vertically movable, Y

tinuous stripL of n sheet metal stock, vchain links having pintles and hooks struck kfrom the center of the link, comprising an opposed ndie and punch, each having a plurality of.

action'upon the stock passing therebetween,

members adaptedto separate kthe hook and pintle tongues Jfrom thelink and to bend them awayfrom-it, means forsevering the Y uncompleted link fromY thestock, means for rolling'the hook tongue-of the link about the Apintle of theprecedinglyformed link, and 

